$Unique_ID{BRK00975}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Which Disease Causes the Most Deaths in the United States Today?}
$Subject{heart disease statistics Community Social heart attack attacks
cardiovascular diseases}
$Volume{Q-3}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Which Disease Causes the Most Deaths in the United States Today?


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QUESTION:  With all the statistics that appear in television and newspapers
about the deaths caused by all the diseases, its a wonder that anyone makes it
to retirement these days.  Just to clear up the confusion, and to help me win
a wager, could you tell me which disease causes the most deaths in the United
States today?

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ANSWER:  Without doubt, and despite the great progress in fighting the
disease, heart disease is still the number 1 cause of death in the United
States today.  Statistics show that as many as 1.5 million Americans will fall
victim to heart attacks in this year and more than one third of them will
succumb to the affliction.  Heart attacks are responsible for about 24% of the
deaths recorded in the U.S. in 1987, numbering 513,000 deaths.  Other
cardiovascular diseases account for another 22 percent (about 463,000 deaths)
just behind cancer with 477,000 deaths.  There has been a drop of more than 40
percent in coronary artery disease deaths since 1970, probably the result of
all the education about the value of healthier life styles, and the new and
very effective treatments for acute heart attacks.  While women are less
likely to succumb before menopause, they are twice as likely to die in the
first few days after an attack than men, and heart attacks are the number 1
cause of death for women as well.  I hope this wins your bet for you.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.